Bibles by Binding

Bibles by Feature

Find the Right Bible

Bibles come in a variety of formats and sizes. Many are targeted for specific people or special occasions. Some have additional material for devotion or study. Here are the most popular Bible translations grouped by type, with a brief description, a sample reading, and a link that will allow you to quickly find more Bibles of the same type.

MSG

The Message

Translation Type: Paraphrase. Contemporary equivalence.Target Audience: People who have never read the Bible. Long time Christians wanting to read with new eyes.Denominational Affiliation: EvangelicalPublisher: NavPress Publishing GroupYear Released: 2002

NKJV

New King James Version

Translation Type: Formal equivalence.Target Audience: Those who want a readable translation of the Bible that is great for study but maintains the poetry of the King James Version.Denominational Affiliation: Conservative, evangelical Protestant, Orthodox.Publisher: Thomas Nelson PublishersYear Released: 1982

AMP - The Amplified Bible

John 3:16-17

For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] [a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.

About the Amplified Bible

The Amplified Bible attempts to be as literal as possible and includes added context, through the use of additional words in brackets, parentheses and italics, as well as outside sources to assist readers in understanding the difficult parts of Scripture. This translation allows you to read a word-for-word translation but has amplified word meanings to help break down the language barrier.

CEB - Common English Bible

John 3:16-17

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

CEV - Contemporary English Version

John 3:16-17

God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

CJB - Complete Jewish Bible

John 3:16-17

God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

CSB - Christian Standard Bible

John 3:16-17

For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

About the CSB

Developed by more than 100 scholars from 17 denominations, the CSB faithfully and accurately captures the Bible’s original meaning without compromising readability. It’s appropriate for Bible readers of all ages, for preaching and serious study, daily reading, and for sharing with others.

ESV - English Standard Version

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

About the ESV

The English Standard Version was modeled after the highly accurate King James Version, English Revised Version, and American Standard Version, but provides far easier readability. It is noted for its "word-for-word" accuracy, as well as capturing the personal style of each Bible writer.

GNT - Good News Translation

John 3:16-17

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.

About the GNT

Previously known as the Good News Bible or Today's English Version, the Good News Translation was published in 1976 as a "common language" Bible. It presents the text in clear and simple language, while still remaining faithful to the original languages. Many editions of the Good News Translation also include small drawings of biblical events to supplement the text.

HCSB - Holman Christian Standard Bible

John 3:16-17

For God loved the world in this way:[a] He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

About the HCSB

The Holman Christian Standard Bible was translated with the goal of creating an optimal balance between word-for-word translation and thought-for-thought translation. Delivering a text that features contemporary English, this translation still stays faithful to the original languages of the Bible. The HCSB also takes into account more recent manuscript discoveries.

ICB - International Children's Bible

John 3:16-17

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.

KJV - King James Version

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

About the KJV

The King James Version of the Bible was originally printed in 1611, but has gone through three revisions since then, incorporating over 100,000 changes. While it was translated extremely well, many of the words used aren’t found in today’s English language or have different meanings. However, the KJV is still believed by many to be the most literal English translation available. It is widely used for memorizing Scripture and for worship.

KJVER - King James Version Easy Read

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

MSG - The Message Bible

John 3:16-17

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

About the MSG

The Message is a translation designed to get people reading the Bible, rather than studying it. Eugene Peterson translated The Message directly from the original languages, without using any English translations as references, and the result is a very contemporary translation. However, no verses are used, making it difficult to look up specific passages.

NAB - New American Bible

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave[a] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn[b] the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

About the NAB

The New American Bible is the first complete American Catholic Bible that was translated from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages. Every edition includes the Apocryphal books. It was translated by a team of 55 scholars, including some Protestants, with the focus being on a word-for-word translation that also reads well. Since 2002, the NAB is the only English Bible that can be used at Mass in dioceses of the United States.

NABRE - New American Bible Revised Edition

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave[a] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn[b] the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

NASB - New American Standard Bible

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

About the NASB

The New American Standard Bible is considered one of the most literally translated 20th century English translations. The old English has been updated to modern English but still maintains a word-for-word translation style. However, because of its dedication to literalism, the readability is not as smooth as other contemporary translations.

NCV - New Century Version

John 3:16-17

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.

NIRV - New International Reader's Version

John 3:16-17

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him.

About the NIRV

The New International Reader’s Version follows a similar strategy as the New International Version, but simplifies the language even more. This simplification makes the NIrV particularly accessible to children and those who struggle with reading English. A great starter Bible to get your young ones reading the Word.

NIV - New International Version

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

About the NIV

The New International Version of the Bible is one of the most popular translations in history, and the official Bible translation of many churches around the world. The NIV attempts to balance word-for-word with phrase-by-phrase translations, providing a mix of readability and staying true to the original Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew languages. Some people find the language too simple, though, sacrificing accuracy for more contemporary English. It is ideal for study, preaching and reading. Many good Bibles and study resources are available for the NIV.

NKJV - New King James Version

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

About the NKJV

The New King James Version of the Bible maintains the accuracy of the original King James, yet presents Scripture with clarity to help today's modern reader understand God's Word. This updated version removes the “thees” and “thous” and applies more recent research and findings in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies that the KJV didn’t take into account.

NLT - New Living Translation

John 3:16-17

For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

About the NLT

The translators of the New Living Translation set out to create a text that would have the same impact on readers now as the original text had on people who read it in their languages. The result is a translation that features contemporary English and translated thoughts rather than just words, which means an easy to read and understand version of the Bible.

NRSV - New Revised Standard Version

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

About the NRSV

The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is considered one of the most ecumenical translations, meaning scholars from many different denominations took part in its creation. This version draws from the same philosophy as the King James Version and the American Standard Version in its attempt to stay as literal as possible. The NRSV does use more gender-neutral language though, which some believe reduces its accuracy.

TLB - The Living Bible

John 3:16-17

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son[a] so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

About the Living Bible

The Living Bible was created by Kenneth L. Taylor because he wanted to put the Bible in a language his children could understand. Using the American Standard Version (1901) as his base text, Taylor attempts to say exactly what the writers of the Scriptures meant, but in such a way that is clear to modern readers. It is particularly beneficial for people who haven't ever read the Bible or use English as a second language.

TLV - Tree of Life Version

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

VOICE - The Voice

John 3:16-17

For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction.

FIND THE RIGHT BIBLE

About Bible Translation

The good news of the Bible is meant to be shared. A translation that hits the sweet spot between fidelity and readability opens the door for every believer to enjoy God's Word for a lifetime.

Many modern translations strive to balance
contemporary English readability with the linguistic precision of the original languages. Others strive for a reliable, readable translation that enhances study while maintaining the poetry of the original King James Version. The choice is up to you!